76ers star Ben Simmons into top five for NBA jersey sales

Ben Simmons has broken into the top five for NBA jersey sales.

Ben Simmons, of the Philadelphia 76ers, poses with his NBA rookie of the year award. Picture: AP

Ben Simmons’ star power continues to skyrocket with the Australian breaking into the top five for NBA jersey sales.

Just days after claiming the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, the league announced Simmons’ jersey was the fifth most popular among all players — up from 10th.

The 21-year-old’s Philadelphia 76ers No 25 jersey was more popular than recently minted NBA MVP and Houston Rockets star James Harden and other perennial All-Stars including Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul and Anthony Davis.

Simmons, who rose from 10th place in sales figures released at the end of the regular season, also trumped rival rookies, Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell.

The Utah Jazz’s Mitchell, an outspoken critic of Simmons’ eligibility for the rookie award, did not make the top 15.

The four players who sold more jerseys than Simmons on NBAStore.com from April through June were the biggest stars of the league: Stephen Curry; LeBron James; Kyrie Irving; and Kevin Durant.

AAP